Steering device aid for heavy motor trucks and the like



Feb. 16, 1943.

STEERING H. ZIGAN 2,311,321

DEVICE AID FOR HEAVY MOTOR TRU IKS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 20, 1942 2Sheets-Sheet l INVE NTOR. Herman Zey al BY Feb. 16, 1943. v N- 2,311,321

STEERING DEVICE AID FOR HEAVY MOTOR TRUCKS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 20,1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVIENTOR. Her/awe .z yarc BY W 4770/2/75 YPatented Feb. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF STEERING DEVICE AID FORHEAVY MOTOR TRUCKS ANDTHE LIKE Herman zigan, New York, N. Y.

Application January 20, 1942, Serial No. 427,426

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a steeringdevice aid for heavy trically controlled means for closing the clutch tocause rotations of the rotatable sectionto be qtransferred to thesteering column to assist the .driver in turning the steering column.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a reversing switchcontrolled by gang lswitches mounted upon the steering vwheel forreversing the supply of current to they motor in a-manner to cause themotorto rotatein one direction or the other to assist the driver inturnii the steering column to the left or the right.

It is a further object, of this invention to pro- ;vide a rheostat inthe circuit which supplies; current to the electric motor to control the(amount of current supplied to the motor tokeep the sup- ;.ply ofcurrent just below the amount required '130 turn the steering columnindependently Of'the .driver in a manner to require only a minimum of.

effort on the part of the driver to turn the steering column.

For further comprehension of thisinvention, and of the objectsandadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following .descriptionand accompanying drawings, and. to the appended claims in which. thevarious novel features of Y the invention are more particularly setforth.

- column of atruck or bus provided with a steering aid constructed inaccordance with this-invention.

Fig. 2 is a view looking in the direction of the.

line 2-2 of Fig, 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a portion =of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

The steering device aid for heavy motor trucks,

' buses and the like, according to this invention,

includes a steering column I extended through the floor boards of amotor vehicle and which 31s provided at its-top end with the usualsteering wheel l2. The bottom end of the steering column is providedwith a worm pinion l3 meshing with aworm gear M. The worm gear isconnected byiameans notv shown on the drawings,

,with the front wheels of the motor vehicle for causing thevehicle to beturned when the steering wheel is turned.

Mounted on the bottom face of the floor boards |l within a casing l5 is.a means controlled by a right hand gangswitch l6 and a left hand gangswitch [1 for assisting the driver in turning the steering column eithertothe right or to the left. As shown in Fig. ,2 the gang switches l6 andH are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the steering wheel |2within convenient reach of thedriver.

This steering aid .means is characterized by a clutch l3 mounted upon aportion of the steering v column within the casing l5. The clutch |8comprises a :fixed section 19 which is locked to the teering column bymeans of a pin 20 extended tending from one wall .of the casing |5.

through the section l9 and the steering column I. On the steering columnadjacent the fixed section I!) the clutch further includes asec- .tion2| which is rotatively and slidably mounted on the steering column l0.between the adjacent faces of vthe sections H! on the section I!) and2|, there is provided a friction element 22 which is adapted to beengaged by the rotatively mounted section 2| for locking the section 2|to the section I9 which in turn is locked to the steering column I0 bymeans of the pin 20.

The section 2| intermediate of its ends is provided with a pair ofspaced collars 23. Alever is pivotally supported upon a bracket ex- Apin '26 .passing through an opening formed in the lever 24 engage thebracket 25 and forms the pivotal support for the. lever. One end of thelever is bifurcated and has its arms 24 extending along opposite sidesof theimovable section 2| of the clutch. These arms 24 are formed withinwardly extending pins 21 which freely engage between the adjacentfacesof the collars ,23 mounted uponthe free section 2|.

The pins 21 do not interfere with a freerotation of the ection 2|, butasthe lever 24 is pivoted the engage- .ment of the pi r1s'2| with thecollars 23 cause the section 2| to move longitudinally along thesteering column N to engage and disengage the section 2| with thesectionlQ. In the fully opened positionof-the sections I9 and 2| the section 2|isadapted to strike a collar 28 mounted upon the steering column .lll toarrest further upward movement of the section 2 On a portion of itsperiphery the section 2| of the clutch I8 is provided with gear teeth 29which mesh with the teeth of a gear 30. The gear 39 is rotativelysupported upon a bracket 3I mounted upon the bottom face of the floorboard I I. A gear 32 meshes with the gear 39. The gear 32 is mountedupon the extended shaft 33 of an electric motor 34 mounted upon a wallof the casing I5. Thus, as the shaft 33 of the electric motor 34 rotatesits rotations will be transmitted to the section H of the clutch I8through the medium of the gears 39 and 32 to.

similarly rotate the section 2|. 7

A reversing switch 35 is mounted upon the housing of the electric motor34 and is controlled by the closing of the gang switch I6 or the gangswitch I7 to cause the motor to rotate in one direction or the other tocause the steering column to be turned either to the left or the rightin the closed condition of the clutch. Details of this portion of theconstruction will be herein- 7 after given,

A spring 36 has one attached to the lever 24 on the side of the bracket25 opposed to the end of the lever which is bifurcated. The other end ofthe spring 36 is attached to a pin 3'! extending from the casing I forurging the lever 24 into a position in which the section 21 will bespaced'from the section I9 of the clutch I8.

A solenoid 38 is mounted upon a bracket 39 extending from the wall ofthe casing I5. The solenoid 38 has a core 48 provided at its free endwith a pin 4! which engages an elongated slot 42 formed in the lever 24.The solenoid 38 is adapted to be energized by closing either of the gangswitches, as will be hereinafter described, to pivot the lever 24against the holding action of the spring 36. When this pivoting takesplace the section 2I of the clutch I8 is moved towards the fixed sectionI9 to contact the friction element 22 and close the clutch I8 to causerotation of the motor 34 to be transmitted to the steering column. Thiswill cause the steering column I8 to be turned in one direction or theother depending upon the direction in which mo tor is turning ascontrolled by the reversing switch 35. When the closed gang switch isagain opened the circuit to the solenoid 38 will be broken and the leverwill be free to be pivoted back to its normal position by the spring 36to again open the clutch I8 and permit the steering column to beindependently turned if desired.

Auxiliary means is provided for pivoting the lever 24 back to its normalposition in which the clutch I8 is open in the event the spring becomesinoperative due to breakage or due to some other cause. This meanscomprises a solenoid 43 mounted upon a bracket 44 extending from a wallof the casing I5. A core 45 extends from the solenoid 43 and is providedat its outer end with a .pin 46 engaging an elongated'slot 41 formed inthe lever 24. This solenoid 43 is connected in a circuit, the details ofwhich will be hereinafter given, which requires the simultaneous closingof both the gang switches I6 and I! for its energization. When both ofthese switches I6 and I! are closed the solenoid 43 is energized pullingthe lever back to its normal position against the holding action of thesolenoid 38.

The right gang switch I6 comprises a pair of bottom contacts 48 adaptedto be closed by a bar 49 and a pair of top contacts 58 adapted to beclosed by a bar 5!. The bars 49 and BI are connected to a singledepressible button 52 to cause' the contacts 48 and 50 to besimultaneously closed.

The left gang switch I! comprises a pair of bottom contacts 53 closed bymeans of a bar 54 and a pair of top contact 55 adapted to be closed bymeans of a bar 55. The bars 54 and 58 are connected to a singledepressible button 51 to cause the contacts 53 and 55 to besimultaneously closed.

The reversing switch 35 is of conventional construction and has aswingable arm 58 having a normal neutral position in which all thecontacts of the switch are open and no current is supplied to the motor34. Movement of the arm 58 is in one direction or the other causing theconnection of a pair of contacts 59 with a pair of contacts 58 or a pairof contacts 6|. The contacts 68 and BI are mounted on opposite sides ofthe contacts 59 and when selectively closed with the contacts 59 causethe motor to rotate in one direction or the other. The switches 59,

'60 and BI and the motor 34 are mounted in a circuit 62 for supplyingthe required current to the motor.

Also mounted in the circuit 62 there is a rheostat 63 having a turnableknob 64 for varying the amount of current supplied to the motor 34 bythe circuit 62. This rheostat is to be adjusted to supply a quantity ofcurrent slightly less than is actually needed to turn the steeringcolumn I5. Thus, when aided by a little efiort on the part of thedriver, the combined effort of the driver and the motor 34 will besufficient to turn the steering wheel in the desired direction.

Means is provided for pivoting the arm 58 of the reversing switch 35 toclose the circuit 62 through the contacts 69 or 6| to cause the motor 34to turn in one direction or the other. This means comprises a pair offixedly mounted spaced solenoids 65 and 66. A single core 61 has itsends extended into the solenoids 65 and 66 and is provided at its centerwith a pin 68. The pin 68 engages a vertical slot 69 formed in the topend of the arm 58. The core 61 at points spaced from the inner ends ofthe solenoids 65 and 66 is provided with a pair of collars. Springs IIare concentrically mounted upon the core 6'! and operate between thecollars it and the solenoids 65 and 66 for urging the core 61 into aneutral position in which the reversing switch will be open and nocurrent will be supplied to the motor 34.

A circuit I2 includes a source of power the contacts 48 of the gangswitch I6, the solenoid 66 and the solenoid 39. Thus, when the button 52of the right gang switch is pushed it will close the circuit I2 throughthe contacts 48. This will energize the solenoid 39 and pivot the lever24 to close the clutch I3. Simultaneously the solenoid 65 will beenergized drawing the core 61 to the right to pivot the arm 58 and closethe circuit 62 through the contacts 60 and rotate the motor 34 towardsthe right to similarly rotate the steering column through the medium ofthe closed clutch. Upon releasing the button 52 the gang switch I6 willopen breaking the circuit I2 deenergizing the solenoids 39 and 66. Thespring 36 will pivot the lever 24 back to its normal position to openthe clutch and the spring II will draw the bar 81 to its normal positionbreaking the circuit 92 through the reversing switch 35.

A circuit I3 includes a source of power the contacts 53 of the left gangswitch H, the solenoid 65 and the solenoid 39. Thus, when the button 51of the left gang switch I1 is pushed in, it will close the circuit 13through the contacts 53. This will energize the solenoid 39 and pivotthe lever 24 to close the clutch [8. At the same instant, the solenoid65 will be energized drawing the core 61 to the left to pivot the arm 58and close the circuit 62 through the contacts Bi of the reversing switch35 and rotate the motor 34 towards the left to similarly rotate thesteering column Ill through the medium of the closed clutch l8 andassist the driver in turning the column l0. Upon releasing the button 51the gang switch I! will open breaking the circuit T3 deenergizing thesolenoids 39 and 65. The spring 36 will pivot the lever 24 back to itsnormal position to open the clutch l8 and the springs H will draw thebar 61 back to its normal position breaking the circuit 62 stopping themotor 34.

Stillanother circuit 14 connects a source of power, the to contacts 55of the gang switch H, the top contacts 50 of the gang switch It and thesolenoid 43 together in series. This requires that both the buttons 52and 51 be simul'taneously depressed to complete the circuit to energizethe solenoid 43 to draw the lever 24 back to its normal position in theevent the spring 36 becomes inoperative for this purpose. Thissimultaneous closing of the gang switches f3 and I! also simultaneouslycloses the circuits l2 and I3 energizing both the solenoids 65 and 66 tocounteract each other and permit the springs- H to draw the bar 6'! backto its neutral position and open the reversing switch 35. These gangswitches 16 and I1 are to be simultaneously closed only in the case ofan emergency or when something goes wrong with the spring Z26- Theoperation of the device is as follows:

When the left hand gang switch I! is closed by depressing its button 51the circuit 13 is closed to energize the solenoids 65 and 39. Thesolenoid 39 closes the clutch l8 and the solenoid 65 closes the circuit62 through the contacts 6| to rotate the motor 34 towards the leftandsimilarly rotate the steering column In.

If it isdesired to steer the vehicle to the right, the right hand gangswitch It is closed by depressing the button 52 to close the circuit 12.The circuit 12' energizes the solenoids 39 and 66. The solenoid 39pivots the lever 24 to close the clutch l8 and the solenoid 66 pivotsthe arm 58 to close the circuit 62 through the contacts 60 and cause themotor 34 to be rotated towards the right.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A steering device aid for heavy motor trucks and the like, comprisingthe usual steering column which is provided with a steering wheel, aright hand gang switch and a left hand gang switch mounted on saidsteering wheel, a steering motor controlled with a reversing switchhaving a neutral position, a transmission connecting said motor andsteering column and including a clutch, a spring for urging said clutchinto an open position, solenoid means for closing said clutch operatedby one section of each of said gang switches,

a solenoid means for operating said reversing switch to cause saidsteering motor to rotate in one direction when one of said gang switchesis closed and to rotate said motor in the other direction when the otherof said gang switches is closed and to move said reversing switch to aneutral position to cutout said motor when both of said gang switchesare closed, and solenoid means for urging said clutch into an openposition when both of said switches are closed.

2. A steering device aid for heavy motor trucks and the like, comprisingthe usual steering column which is provided with a steering wheel, aright hand gang switch and a left hand gang switch mounted on saidsteerin wheel, a steering motor controlled with a reversing switchhaving a neutral position, a transmission connecting said motor andsteering column and including a clutch, a spring for urging said clutchinto an open position, solenoid means for closing said clutch oper--ated by one section of each of said gang switches, a solenoid means foroperating said reversing switch to cause said steering motor to rotatein one direction when one of said gang switches is closed and to rotatesaid motor in the other direction when the other of said gan switches isclosed and to move said reversing switch to a neutral position to cutoutsaid motor when both of said gang switches are closed, and solenoidmeans for urging said clutch into an open position when both of saidswitches are closed, and a rheostat for controlling the amount ofcurrent supplied to said motor so as to require a combined eifort on thepart of the motor and the driver to turn said steering column.

3. A steering device aid for heavy motor trucks and the like, comprisingthe usual steering column which is provided with a steering wheel, aright hand gang switch and a left hand gang switch mounted on saidsteering wheel, a steering motor controlled with a reversing switchhaving a neutral position, a transmission connecting said motor andsteering column and including a clutch, a spring for urging said clutchinto an open position, solenoid means for closing said clutch operatedby one section of each of said gang switches, a solenoid means foroperating said reversing switch to cause said steering motor to rotatein one direction when one of said gang switches is closed and to rotatesaid motor in the other direction when the other of said gang switchesis closed and to move said reversing switch to a neutral position tocutout said motor when both of said gang switches are closed, andsolenoid means for urging said clutch into an open position when both ofsaid switches are closed, each of said gang switches comprising two setsof contacts, a bar for closing each set of contacts, and a depressiblebutton connecting said bars together for unitary movement when saidbutton is depressed.

4. A steering device aid for heavy motor trucks and the like, comprisingthe usual steering column which is provided with a steering wheel, aright hand gang switch and a left hand gang switch mounted on saidsteering wheel, a steering motor controlled with a reversing switchhaving a neutral position, a transmission connecting said motor andsteering column and including a clutch, a spring for urging said clutchinto an open position, solenoid means for closing said clutch operatedby one section of each of said gang switches, a solenoid means foroperating said reversing switch to cause said steering motor to rotatein one direction when one of said gang switches is closed and to rotatesaid motor in the otherdirection when the other of said gang switches isclosed and to move said reversing switch to a neutral-position to cutoutsaid motor when both of said gang switches are closed, and solenoidmeans for urging said clutch into an open position when both of saidswitches are closed, said clutch comprising, a fixed section mounted onsaid steering column, a movable section slidably and rotatively engagedupon said steering column, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate of itsends and having one end connected with said movable section to move saidmovable section towards said fixed section when pivoted.

5. A steering device aid for heavy motor trucks and the like, comprisingthe usual steering column which is provided with a steering wheel, aright hand gang switch and a left hand gang switch mounted on saidsteering wheel, a steering motor controlled with a reversing switchhaving a neutral position, a transmission connecting said motor andsteering column and including a clutch, a spring for urging said clutchinto an open position, solenoid means for closing said clutch operatedby one section of each of said gang switches, a solenoid means foroperating said reversing switch to cause said steering motor to rotatein one direction when one of said gang switches is closed and to rotatesaid motor in the other direction when the other of said gang switchesis closed and to move said reversing switch to a neutral position tocutout said motor when both of said gang switches are closed, andsolenoid means for urging said clutch into an open position when both ofsaid switches are closed, said clutch comprising, a fixed sectionmounted on said steering column, a movable section slidably androtatively engaged upon said steering column, a lever pivotally mountedintermediate of its ends and having one end connected with said movablesection to move said movable section towards said fixed section whenpivoted, and a spring connected to the free end of said lever forpivoting said lever to separate said sections, and said solenoid meansfor closing said clutch being also connected to the free end of saidlever to counteract the action of said spring when energized to closesaid clutch by pivoting said lever.

6. A steering device aid for heavy motor trucks and the like, comprisingthe usual steering column which is provided with a steering wheel,

a right hand gang switch and a left hand gang switch mounted on saidsteering wheel, a steering motor controlled with a reversing switchhaving a neutral position, a transmission connecting said motor andsteering column and including a clutch, a spring for urging said clutchinto an open position, solenoid means for closing said clutch operatedby one section of each of said gang switches, a solenoid means foroperating said reversing switch to cause said steering motor to rotatein one direction when one'of said gang switches is closed and to rotatesaid motor in the other direction when the other of said gang switchesis closed and to move said reversing switch to a neutral position tocutout said motor when both of said gang switches are closed, andsolenoid means for urging said clutch into an open position when both ofsaid switches are closed, said clutch comprising, a fixed sectionmounted on said steering column, a movable section slidably androtatively engaged upon said steering column, a lever pivotally mountedintermediate of its ends and having one end connected with said movablesection to move said movable section towards said fixed section whenpivoted, and a friction element arranged between the adjacent faces ofsaid clutch sections.

7. A steering device aid for heavy motor trucks and the like, comprisingthe usual steering .column which is provided with a steering wheel, aright hand gang switch and a left hand gang switch mounted on saidsteering wheel, a steering motor controlled with a reversing switchhaving a neutral position, a transmission connecting said motor andsteering column andincluding a clutch, a spring for urging said clutchinto an open position, solenoid means for closing said clutch operatedby one section of each of said gang switches, a solenoid means foroperating said reversing switch to cause said steering motor to rotatein one direction when one of said gang switches is closed and to rotatesaid motor in the other direction when the other of said gang switchesis closed and to move said reversing switch to a neutral position tocutout said motor when both of said gang switches are closed, andsolenoid means for urging said clutch into an open position when both ofsaid switches are closed, said reversing switch having a pivotallymounted arm connected with said solenoid means for operating saidreversing switch.

HERMAN ZIGAN.

